The loss of Gregory Isaacs to lung cancer on 25th October last year at the age of 59 was both a heavy blow and the close of an era for music. Right up to his final live performance at the Big Chill Festival near Malvern, England, thousands flocked to experience his legendary charisma and stage presence – which remained undiminished ’til the end.
Isaacs was hugely prolific for his own African Museum label, started at the turn of the 70s with Errol Dunkley, as well as for a roll call of top producers through the years. In the aftermath of his departure it is then unsurprising that his early catalogue should be reissued for posterity. And this double CD collection of his album and single sessions for Alvin “GG” Ranglin – that yielded wedding and christening staple Love Is Overdue in 1974 – is a nicely packaged indication of what made Gregory great..